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Trading away the dance-pop trifles of their hits for a faceless stylistic shuffle, the duo seems to be tiring of itself, too. We’re going to be stuck with the Chainsmokers forever. Though the unctuous duo of Drew Taggart and Alex Pall are probably not destined for decades of unqualified success, their insipid spin on EDM’s big-money boom has become as much an eye-rollingly omnipresent part of our national fabric as “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Most living humans in the Western world have likely had the unfortunate sensation of having a Chainsmokers hit stuck in their head, as gross as gum on a hot bus seat; after all, their Coldplay collaboration, “Something Just Like This,” seems made only to ooze from department-store speakers for eternity. There’s even a goddamn feature-length film based on the M83-aping “Paris” in development. Like so many modern American atrocities, the Chainsmokers are just something we’re going to have to endure.

The 2018 XC90 stands pat from last year—nothing has changed. It’s available in Momentum, R-Design, Inscription, and Excellence trim levels that run the spectrum from sub-$50,000 to more than $100,000.

Its base powertrain in T5 versions is a turbo-4 that makes 250 horsepower and can drive the front or all four wheels. It’s not short on power, but it doesn’t have much to spare.

The next stop up is the T6 with a supercharged, turbocharged inline-4 that makes 316 hp. It’s all-wheel drive only, and it’s more of a match for the XC90’s 4,500-pound heft. Despite the engine’s complexity, it’s capable and quiet—and almost as fuel-efficient as the base version.

At the top of the powertrain pile, the T8 plug-in hybrid variants team a 10.4-kwh lithium-ion battery pack and electric motors to the T6 engine for a total system output of 400 hp. Not only are T8 hybrids the most efficient, they’re also the quickest.

Inside, the XC90 is dressed to impress with luxurious materials and a design sensibility that could have only come from the Swedes. The front seats are the best seats, although row two and three aren’t bad for adults either. We’ll admit that we’re not in love with the XC90’s interior like we once were, but we’re happy to settle into the relationship for the long haul anyway.

Volvo’s safety systems shouldn’t be overlooked, they’re among the best in the biz. Along with top-tier crash-test scores, the XC90 comes equipped with a comprehensive and impressive set of advanced safety features that include blind-spot monitors, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist, a semi-self-driving program that can operate for short distances without driver input. Many other automakers offer a similar system, and nearly all of them charge dearly for it.

Along with impressive standard safety features, the XC90 bundles a long list of standard features that make the crossover competitive among its rivals. Base XC90s come equipped with a power tailgate, four-zone automatic climate control, power adjustable front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, advanced safety features (we cover those separately), a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an 8.0-inch driver information cluster, 18-inch wheels, and a vertically oriented 9.0-inch touchscreen for infotainment that includes navigation and Apple CarPlay compatibility.

Styling

The Volvo XC90 is wildly simple and beautiful, Swedish design at its best.

The Volvo XC90 is Euro to the bone, by our eyes. It’s a big frame in small clothes that pulls off its skinny-jeans look like a pro.

Visually it reads smaller than it is, and much less than its 2.5-ton weight would indicate. We should all be so lucky.

We give it one point above average for its sharp sheet metal, and two more for a decadent interior with plenty of extras.

Starting from the outside, the XC90 set the table for other crossovers that have arrived from Volvo. The XC90 pushes its wheels toward the corners and its engine is set further back under the hood, which gives the crossover a long nose and rear-wheel drive proportions. Its windshield isn’t as steeply raked as other crossovers, but the XC90’s tail is aerodynamically sculpted to leave the wind neatly behind it. The XC90 pulls off the right proportion of glass to sheet metal, which is to say, it has enough of both for good outward vision.

Inside, the XC90 is awash in high-quality materials that are made better by throwing more money at it. (Excellence trim fit a crystal gear shifter that’s hilariously good looking.)

The cabin is dominated by a 9.0-inch touchscreen in the center of the dash that’s vertically oriented like a tablet computer. Few automakers aside from Tesla and Volvo opt for this orientation and we’re not sure why. Aside from the functionality of having less “dead” space, the vertical orientation brings the dash together in from the sides in an elegant V-shape.

Flanked by the touchscreen are carefully crafted metal or wood trim pieces that wouldn’t be out of place at Scandinavian design centers. Because of course not.

Performance

A trio of turbocharged inline-4s power the Volvo XC90, including a plug-in hybrid variant.

The 2018 Volvo XC90 relies on a 2.0-liter turbo-4 and 8-speed automatic in all three of its powertrain configurations, although each application is significantly different. All-wheel drive is optional on base T5 versions, but standard on T6 and T8 variants.

Starting with a base score of 5, we give extra points for a smooth-shifting 8-speed and car-like handling at every stop. It earns a 7 out of 10 for performance.

Base XC90s in T5 configuration are powered by a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that makes 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It’s enough power for the big, 4,500-pound crossover—but not by much. Front-wheel drive is standard, although all-wheel drive is optional. According to Volvo, the base engine is rated to tow up to 5,200 pounds, although we’d hesitate to hitch up our 22-foot Bayliner just yet. The T5’s torque comes on low, at just 1,500 rpm, but doesn’t stay for long and passing on mountain highways can be indecisive.

For most applications, the uprated T6 engine will be good enough to solve both problems. It adds a supercharger to the already turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 for a complex, but meaty, 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It’s a $5,000 option at the Momentum trim level, and standard everywhere else. Although we’re still wrapping our heads around the mechanical voodoo that it casts to extract that much power from a busy 2.0-liter, the T6 engine is plenty powerful and mostly refined for our tastes. It’s paired exclusively with all-wheel drive and is rated to tow 5,200 pounds.

At the top of the pile is a plug-in hybrid T8 variant that pairs the same supercharged turbo-4 to a 10.4-kwh lithium-ion battery that can power the XC90 alone for up to 19 miles alone, according to the EPA. Its total output is 400 hp (313 from the internal combustion engine and 87 from the electric motors) and like the T6, it’s an all-wheel-drive only affair. It’s noticeably quicker than the T6, but also nearly $11,000 more than those cars. (Although the T8 qualifies for up to $5,000 in a federal tax credit.)

Regardless of powertrain, the XC90 handles like a smaller car—a good thing. The feedback provided through the electric power assist rack-and-pinion steering setup is remarkably natural and we’ve found that it feels almost like the real thing. The XC90 has limited body roll in spite of its tall stature and 9.3 inches of ground clearance.

In most versions, drivers can select among drive programs that include Comfort, Eco, Dynamic, Off Road, and a customized program. Each program controls shift points, throttle sensitivity, and steering heft, although we found Comfort to be suitable for most daily drives.

The T8 gets its own drive programs that includes Hybrid, Power, Pure, and Comfort modes. Hybrid mode runs on electricity alone at lower speeds where possible and maximizes efficiency at higher speeds with a mix of both engine and electric power. Power mode turns the wick up for maximum torque at all wheels for breathtaking speed—especially from a stop. Pure locks in the all-electric drive until the battery is depleted; Save does the opposite by not only saving the battery’s charge state, but recharging it with the engine up to 42 percent.

Comfort & Quality

Comfortable and quiet, the 2018 Volvo XC90 is great at first impressions. We still like it, but others in the class hold up better over time.

The 2018 Volvo XC90 is impressive for buyers new to the Swedish automaker. It has largely succeeded in bringing new shoppers into the fold and it signaled a new era for the automaker after languishing for several years.

We give the XC90 points above average for its front seats and fit and finish. We were initially impressed with nearly everything about the XC90—it represented a radical departure from the Volvo we knew. Over time, that opinion has somewhat tempered, but the XC90 is still above average in many respects. It earns a 7 out of 10.

The XC90 impresses upon entry with its interior that includes (on most trims) stitched leather, real wood, and crafted controls that read with a pleasant mix of upscale old-world luxury and modern.

Volvo said it spent years developing its front seats and our backsides are likely to agree. The front chairs are all-day comfortable, and we’ve found it easy to find a suitable driving position regardless of body type. The Volvo XC90 affords good outward vision for most of its passengers thanks to abundant glass and “stadium-style” seating that elevates the second and third rows higher.

Second-row seats will be fine for adults, if not completely opulent in Excellence trim. They’re not as comfortable as some rivals’ seats, but the XC90’s seats slide fore and aft to provide better leg room for second- and third-row passengers as needed.

Adults can fit into the third row, but only with some horsetrading with second-row passengers. Ideally, small children would be ideal matches for the sixth and seventh seats, although the XC90 doesn’t afford those seats with USB ports that make long journeys palatable for big families. (Pro tip: Minivans have them and they’re glorious.)

Up and down, the XC90 has high-quality materials and craftsmanship befitting the luxury brand. Small touches like Swedish flag tabs in the seats and a crystal shifter in Excellence models signal an arrival for Volvo has a high-end brand with more promise.

The second and third rows (when equipped) fold flat into the floor to offer up to 85.7 cubic feet of cargo room in the XC90. Fold up the second row, and the cargo area shrinks to 41.8 cubes, and with the third row in place it’ll swallow 15.8 cubes of gear.

Generally speaking, the interior of the XC90 is quiet, although Inscription and Excellence models add active noise cancellation to quell outside noises further. We’ve found that the XC90 rides just as quiet on 18-inch wheels as it does on big, heavy 22-inches that typically relay plenty of noise into the cabin.

Opting for the air suspension (standard on the Excellence trim level) won’t necessarily make for a smoother ride; in repeated drives we couldn’t tell much of a difference between it and the standard steel suspension.

Safety

The Volvo XC90 is among the safest cars on the road today with an impeccable crash-test score and standard active safety features that are class-leading.

The 2018 Volvo XC90 trades on the automaker’s pedigree for building some of the safest vehicles on the road today—and tomorrow. Crash-test scores largely agree, and out of the box the XC90 is equipped with a raft of advanced safety features.

Those are complemented by optional add-ons that can pilot the XC90 through heavy traffic (but still require driver attention) or on long jaunts.

The XC90 earns an 7 out of 10 on our safety scale, with credit for its NHTSA ratings and its advanced safety technology.

Federal testers give the XC90 a five-star overall rating for crash safety, including a four-star score in the calculated rollover test. The IIHS largely agrees, but the XC90 hasn't been tested for front passenger protection, a new test the IIHS deems necessary for Top Safety Pick status. The XC90's “Marginal” score in the new headlight rating test also keeps it from the award.

All XC90s come equipped with a standard complement of seven airbags, including side curtain airbags for rear passengers to protect occupants during a rollover crash. Stability and traction control systems are standard, and a rearview camera is included on all trim levels.

Volvo’s suite of advanced safety features is comprehensive and impressive. Included at every trim level are blind-spot monitors, parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (at low or high speeds), road sign recognition, and rear collision mitigation that flashes the rear lights if it detects a car approaching from the rear too quickly.

Volvo’s sophisticated self-driving system is called Pilot Assist, but we’d stop short of calling it “autonomous driving.” When engaged, the system will follow lane markings and other cars for short periods of time without driver intervention. The system requires some force on the steering wheel for long distances, but driver attention is a small price to pay for its convenience.

Volvo was among the first with their Pilot Assist program, and it doesn’t track as straight through lanes as, say, Audi’s system. But unlike almost every other luxury crossover, Pilot Assist is standard on every Volvo XC90 and shoppers are better for it.

Features

The 2018 Volvo XC90 comes well-equipped, even in base versions. Top trims expand the range to rival many luxury cars in amenities—and price.

The Volvo XC90 manages to be one of the most handsomely equipped crossovers on the planet, often at thousands below the competition.

The XC90 gains points above average for good base equipment, especially the touchscreen. In the top Excellence trim the XC90 can rival any luxury car, although it doesn’t offer the same myriad customization options that ultra-luxury brands offer. The XC90 lands at an 8 out of 10 for features.

The XC90 is offered in Momentum, R-Design, Inscription, and Excellence trim levels that start below $50,000 but can reach higher than $100,000 in top versions.

The R-Design trim is a sportier look on the XC90 that includes 20-inch wheels (or optional 22-inch wheels), a blacked-out grille, heated front seats, interior trim accents that include a sportier steering wheel and R-Design kickplates and pedals.

The Inscription trim level is where Volvo starts to punch into luxury-car territory. In addition to 20-inch wheels, the Inscription trim level adds a digital instrument cluster, real wood interior surfaces, upgraded audio, nappa leather upholstery, standard all-wheel drive, an uprated engine, and active noise cancellation in the cabin. Priced at $60,145, including destination, it offers equipment that would cost thousands more on comparably equipped crossovers from luxury automakers.

Volvo XC90 Excellence versions go even further. They’re equipped only as plug-in hybrid models with all-wheel drive and include premium audio from Bowers & Wilkins, heated and cooled front- and second-row seating, a beverage cooler, a crystal gearshift, head-up display, 21-inch wheels, air suspension, and panoramic moonroof. At more than $100,000 to start, it’s a luxury crossover with a price to match.

Volvo expects that most XC90s driving off dealer lots will be Momentum variants, available with front- or all-wheel drive. Opting for the uprated T6 engine option in those crossovers adds leather upholstery, a third row for seating, standard all-wheel drive, and popular equipment packages that can add more active safety features or tonier interior accents such as birch wood and interior lighting.

Volvo makes few options available outside packages, including a Bowers & Wilkins audio system that loads the XC90 up with 11 speakers, including a subwoofer, for rich sounds that rival any concert hall. At $3,200, it’s hardly inexpensive, but it’s one of our favorite sound systems available today.

Infotainment

Volvo’s infotainment system, called Sensus, has earned praise from our critics as being one of the most functional—and prettiest—systems equipped in new cars today. The screen’s vertical orientation is a departure from most other automakers, and offers a new approach for most users. The menu-heavy system may take a while to learn, but our editors have reported that with enough initial fiddling the system is intuitive and responsive.

Most XC90s will be equipped with Apple CarPlay compatibility that presents the familiar interface as a menu within the screen, making other functions usable while CarPlay is running.

The tall, 9.0-inch touchscreen offers natural swiping and pinching functions that will be instantly familiar with smartphone users. Swipe right for a configurable home screen that offers simple controls for commonly used functions, or left for a comprehensive overview of the car’s audio, navigation, and climate controls.

Our only criticism is that we’ve noticed in several Volvo cars that the touchscreen can become somewhat warm to the touch during heavy use.

Fuel Economy

Provided you have a light right foot, the 2018 Volvo XC90 can be stingy with fuel for a three-row crossover.

For a three-row crossover, the 2018 Volvo XC90 is surprisingly stingy.

Most versions will average combined mileage in the mid-20s, although it’s possible to do much better.

According to the EPA, Volvo XC90 T5 versions equipped with all-wheel drive are rated at 22 mpg city, 28 highway, 24 mpg combined. That’s good enough for a 6 out of 10 on our fuel economy scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

Opting for the T6 version, which is all-wheel drive only, drops those figures to 20/27/23 mpg.

The Volvo XC90 T8 is at the top of the pile for fuel economy. It pairs a 10.4-kwh battery and electric motor to the inline-4 and can travel up to 13 miles on electricity alone. When the battery is depleted, the plug-in hybrid XC90 is rated at 27 mpg combined.

That kind of fuel efficiency is near the top of its class. The Audi Q7 is rated at 21 mpg combined and the Acura MDX manages 23 mpg combined, according to the EPA.View the original article here

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